Barrel-style coil-actuated vent

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for circulating air includes a barrel through which the air is circulated, where the barrel includes a body having a first end and a second end, and a coil positioned near the second end of the barrel for controlling when the air is permitted to circulate through the barrel. In another embodiment, an apparatus for circulating air includes a grating through which the air is circulated and an actuator for controlling when the air is permitted to circulate through the grating, wherein the actuator is activated automatically in response to changes in ambient temperature without requiring a supply of electricity.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Certain air circulation systems (e.g., air conditioning systems) require hot air to be vented when the air reaches a predefined temperature. In many instances, these systems include louvered vents that function as entry and exit points for air circulation. These vents may be static (i.e., fixed in an open position), adjustable through a range of possible positions (i.e., between fully open and fully closed), or adjustable to one of two positions (i.e., open or closed).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus for circulating air includes a barrel through which the air is circulated, where the barrel includes a body having a first end and a second end, and a coil positioned near the second end of the barrel for controlling when the air is permitted to circulate through the barrel.

In another embodiment, a vent for circulating air includes a housing, the housing having a substantially cylindrical shape, a barrel positioned inside the housing, the barrel including a plurality of apertures though which the air is circulated, a door positioned concentrically between the barrel and the housing, the door having a substantially cylindrical shape and an opening formed therein, and a coil attached to one end of the door, such that the door is rotatable with the coil, wherein the coil is formed from a bimetallic material.

In another embodiment, an apparatus for circulating air includes a grating through which the air is circulated and an actuator for controlling when the air is permitted to circulate through the grating, wherein the actuator is activated automatically in response to changes in ambient temperature without requiring a supply of electricity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The teachings of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a barrel-style coil-actuated vent, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view illustrating the housing of FIG. 1 in more detail;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view illustrating the barrel of FIG. 1 in more detail;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view illustrating the perforated cylinder of FIG. 1 in more detail;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view illustrating the coil of FIG. 1 in more detail;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view illustrating one embodiment of a cap that may be incorporated into the barrel-style coil-actuated vent of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is an isometric view illustrating one embodiment of a coil mount that may be incorporated into the barrel-style coil-actuated vent of FIG. 1.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, the invention is a barrel-style coil-actuated vent suitable for use in air circulation applications. The vent can be manufactured with precision in both very large sizes (e.g., for industrial applications) and also in very small sizes. Thus, the vent can be used in a variety of applications, including those in which solar heat gain may be a factor (e.g., windows, doors, skylights, gable roofs).

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a barrel-style coil-actuated vent 100, according to embodiments of the present invention. The vent 100 generally comprises a housing 102, a door 104, a barrel 106, and a coil 108.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view illustrating the housing 102 of FIG. 1 in more detail. As illustrated, the housing 102 comprises an elongated body 200. The body 200 may be formed of a metallic material. The body 200 includes a first end 202 and a second end 204 which define a hollow interior volume 206 therebetween. The interior volume 206 is substantially open, as illustrated, and has a generally cylindrical or tubular shape. By “generally” or “substantially” cylindrical, it is meant that a component has a shape that resembles a cylinder or tube, although it may not be perfectly cylindrical.

The first end 202 of the body 200 has a substantially rounded (e.g., circular or arch-shaped) cross section, but includes a large, substantially wedge-shaped cutout 208 formed in its perimeter. Similarly, the second end 204 of the body 200 also has a substantially rounded cross section. However, the second end 204 also includes a perimetric lip 210 having a plurality of long, thin notches 212 formed therein.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view illustrating the door 104 of FIG. 1 in more detail. As illustrated, the door 104 comprises an elongated body 300. The body 300 may be formed of a metallic material. The body 300 includes a first end 302 and a second end 304 which define a hollow interior volume therebetween. An elongated opening 306 is formed in the generally cylindrical body 300. In one embodiment, the opening 306 is rectangular in shape.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view illustrating the barrel 106 of FIG. 1 in more detail. As illustrated, the barrel 106 comprises an elongated body 400 having a generally cylindrical or tubular shape. The body 400 may be formed of a metallic material. The body 400 includes a first end 402 and a second end 404. Moreover, a plurality of apertures 406 is formed in the surface of the body 400, such that the barrel functions as a tubular grating.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view illustrating the coil 108 of FIG. 1 in more detail. As illustrated, the coil 108 comprises a length of metallic ribbon arranged in a spiral. In one embodiment, a first end 500 of the ribbon is bent into a first flange near approximately the center of the spiral, and a second end 502 of the ribbon is bent into a second flange near approximately the outer edge of the spiral. In one embodiment, the metallic ribbon comprises a bimetallic strip (i.e., a material comprising multiple layers of different metals that expand at different rates when heat is applied). For instance, the bimetallic strip may comprise layers of steel and copper and/or brass joined together along their respective lengths. The different expansion rates force the flat strip to bend in one direction when heated, and in the opposite direction when cooled below its initial temperature. Thus, the bimetallic strip converts temperature changes into mechanical displacements by expanding and contracting at different temperatures or ranges of temperatures. The bimetallic strip may be formed in different lengths and thicknesses.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view illustrating one embodiment of a cap 600 that may be incorporated into the barrel-style coil-actuated vent 100 of FIG. 1. As illustrated, the cap 600 is generally circular in shape. The cap 600 may be formed of a metallic material. As will be explained in further detail below, the cap 600 is mounted to at least the first end 302 of the door 104.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view illustrating one embodiment of a coil mount 700 that may be incorporated into the barrel-style coil-actuated vent 100 of FIG. 1. As illustrated, the coil mount 700 is generally circular in shape and includes a spool 702, which may further include a notch 704. The coil mount 700 may be formed of a metallic material. As will be explained in further detail below, the coil mount 700 is mounted to at least the second end 304 of the door 104. Additionally, the spool 702 of the coil mount 700 supports the coil 108.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the various components illustrated in FIGS. 2-7 are assembled as follows. The barrel 106 is positioned concentrically within the interior volume of the door 104. The door 104 is positioned concentrically within the interior volume 206 of the housing 102. The cap 600 is positioned between the first ends 302, 402 of the door 104 and barrel 106 and the first end 202 of the housing 102. The coil mount 700 is positioned between the second ends 304, 404 of the door 104 and barrel 106 and the second end 204 of the housing 102. The coil 108 is mounted onto the spool 702. The notch 704 of the spool 700 secures the first end 500 of the coil 108, while one of the notches 212 in the housing 102 supports the second end 502 of the coil 108.

Although various components of the barrel-style coil-actuated vent 100 have been illustrated individually, it should be noted that, in some embodiments, two or more of the illustrated components could be formed integrally with each other.

In operation, as the ambient heat increases, the coil 108 expands. Expansion of the coil 108 causes the coil 108 to rotate. Rotation of the coil 108 causes rotation of the coil mount 700 (due to the first end 500 of the coil 108 being secured to the spool 702), which, in turn, causes rotation of the door 104 to a position in which the opening 306 (and, therefore, the barrel 106 within the door 104) is exposed. This allows air to pass through the door 104 and barrel 106 for ventilation. Thus, FIG. 1 illustrates the vent 100 in the “open” position.

Conversely, when the ambient heat decreases, the coil 108 contracts, causing rotation of the coil 108 and door 104 in an opposite direction that “hides” the opening 306. This effectively “closes” the vent and prevents air from passing through the door 104 and barrel 106. Thus, opening and closing of the vent is an automatic and purely mechanical operation (i.e., does not require manual operation or a supply of electricity) that is responsive to ambient temperature changes.

Although various embodiments which incorporate the teachings of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiments that still incorporate these teachings. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for circulating air, the apparatus comprising: a barrel through which the air is circulated, the barrel including a body having a first end and a second end; and a coil positioned near the second end of the barrel for controlling when the air is permitted to circulate through the barrel.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a door attached to the coil and positioned concentrically around the barrel, the door including an opening that exposes the barrel when the door is rotated.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body of the barrel includes a plurality of apertures.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coil comprises a spiral of a bimetallic material.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the bimetallic material comprises: a first layer comprising a first metal that expands at a first rate when heated; and a second layer comprising a second metal that expands at a second rate when heated, wherein the second rate is different from the first rate.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a spool positioned near the second end of the barrel, wherein the coil is mounted to the spool.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein an end of the coil is secured by a notch in the spool.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a housing within which the barrel and the coil are contained.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the housing has a substantially cylindrical shape.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein an end of the coil is secured by a notch in the housing.
 11. A vent for circulating air, the vent comprising: a housing, the housing having a substantially cylindrical shape; a barrel positioned inside the housing, the barrel including a plurality of apertures though which the air is circulated; a door positioned concentrically between the barrel and the housing, the door having a substantially cylindrical shape and an opening formed therein; and a coil attached to one end of the door, such that the door is rotatable with the coil, wherein the coil is formed from a bimetallic material.
 12. The vent of claim 11, wherein the barrel includes a plurality of apertures formed therein.
 13. The vent of claim 11, wherein the coil comprises a spiral of a bimetallic material.
 14. The vent of claim 13, wherein the bimetallic material comprises: a first layer comprising a first metal that expands at a first rate when heated; and a second layer comprising a second metal that expands at a second rate when heated, wherein the second rate is different from the first rate.
 15. The vent of claim 11, wherein the housing has a substantially cylindrical shape.
 16. An apparatus for circulating air, the apparatus comprising: a grating through which the air is circulated; and an actuator for controlling when the air is permitted to circulate through the grating, wherein the actuator is activated automatically in response to changes in ambient temperature without requiring a supply of electricity.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the grating comprises: a barrel having a plurality of apertures formed therein.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a housing having a substantially cylindrical shape; and a door having a substantially cylindrical shape and an opening formed therein, the door being positioned between the housing and the grating.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the actuator comprises: a coil attached to the door, the coil being formed from a bimetallic material.
 20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the actuator is a coil formed from a bimetallic material. 